Air purifier

ABSTRACT

An air purifier (100) includes a control unit (110). The control unit (110) is configured to acquire occupancy information indicating whether or not a person is in a room. The control unit (110) is configured to switch operational control based on a type of pet specified by a user and the occupancy information. When a person is not in the room, the control unit (110) preferably performs operational control to increase an airflow compared to that when a person is in the room.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an air purifier.

BACKGROUND ART

Air purifiers provided with a dust sensor are known (for example, PTL1). A dust sensor detects an amount of dust in the air. The air purifierdescribed in PTL 1 is configured to change an airflow of a blower inaccordance with the amount of dust detected by the dust sensor.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: JP 2017-124363 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Nevertheless, the air purifier described in PTL 1 only changes theairflow of the blower in accordance with the amount of dust, and is notcapable of performing operational control in accordance with a type ofpet and person-in-room information.

In light of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is toprovide an air purifier capable of operational control in accordancewith a type of pet and person-in-room information.

Solution to Problem

An air purifier according to the present invention includes a controlunit. The control unit is configured to acquire occupancy informationspecifying whether or not a person is in a room. The control unit isconfigured to switch operational control based on a type of petspecified by a user and the occupancy information.

Advantage Effects of Invention

According to an air purifier according to the present invention, it ispossible to perform operational control in accordance with a type of petand person-in-room information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an air purification system including an airpurifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling the airpurifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a table illustrating operational control of a control unit ina first operation mode, a second operation mode, a third operation mode,and a fourth operation mode.

FIGS. 4(a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating a mobile terminal.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an air purification system including an airpurifier according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an air purification system including an airpurifier according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter withreference to the drawings. Note that, in the drawings, the same orequivalent components are denoted by the same reference signs anddescription thereof will not be repeated.

First Embodiment

An air purifier 100 according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a blockdiagram of an air purification system 400 including the air purifier 100according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the air purification system 400 includes theair purifier 100, a server 200, and a mobile terminal 300.

The air purifier 100 includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, adetection unit 130, a communication unit 140, a humidification unit 150,an ion generation unit 160, an operation unit 170, a fan 180, and afilter 190.

The control unit 110 is a hardware circuit including a processor such asa central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), and the like. The control unit 110 controls theoperation of each unit of the air purifier 100 by the processor readingand executing a control program stored in the storage unit 120. Thecontrol unit 110 acquires occupancy information. The occupancyinformation is information indicating whether or not a person is in aroom. For example, the control unit 110 acquires the occupancyinformation based on a detection result of a motion sensor 138 orposition information acquired by a global positioning system (GPS)function of the mobile terminal 300.

The storage unit 120 includes a random access memory (RAM) and a readonly memory (ROM). The storage unit 120 stores various data and acontrol program for controlling the operation of each unit of the airpurifier 100. The control program is executed by the control unit 110.

The detection unit 130 periodically detects environment information. Forexample, the detection unit 130 detects the environment informationevery 15 minutes. The environment information indicates informationregarding the environment surrounding the air purifier 100. Thedetection unit 130 detects a plurality of environment information. Theenvironment information includes, for example, illuminance information,odor information, dust information, and position information of a user.The environment information detected by the detection unit 130 istransmitted to the server 200 via the communication unit 140. The server200 stores the environment information in the storage unit 220. That is,the storage unit 220 of the server 200 stores a history of theenvironment information.

The detection unit 130 includes an illuminance sensor 132, an odorsensor 134, a dust sensor 136, and the motion sensor 138. Sensitivity ofthe detection unit 130 is controlled by the control unit 110. Thesensitivity of the detection unit 130 can be controlled, for example, atthree stages of “high”, “standard”, and “low”, in order of decreasingsensitivity.

The illuminance sensor 132 detects an illuminance inside the room inwhich the air purifier 100 is installed.

The odor sensor 134 detects an odor level in the room in which the airpurifier 100 is installed. The odor sensor 134 is, for example, aquartz, vibration type sensor or a semiconductor type sensor.

The dust sensor 136 detects an amount of dust in the room in which theair purifier 100 is installed. The dust sensor 136 is capable ofdistinguishing and detecting fine dust of less than 2.5 μm and largedust (PM 2.5) of 2.5 μm or greater.

The motion sensor 138 detects whether or not a person is in the room inwhich the air purifier 100 is installed. That is, the motion sensor 138detects the occupancy information.

The communication unit 140 is capable of communicating with anelectronic device equipped with a communicator that utilizes the samecommunication system (protocol). In this embodiment, the communicationunit 140 communicates with the server 200 and the mobile terminal 300via a network such as a local area network (LAN). The communication unit140 is a communication module (communication device) such as a LANboard, for example. The communication unit 140 transmits the environmentinformation detected by the detection unit 130 to the server 200, forexample.

The humidification unit 150 humidifies the room in which the airpurifier 100 is installed. The humidification unit 150 includes a watertank (not illustrated). The humidification unit 150 vaporizes watercontained in the water tank and moistens the air to humidify the room.

The ion generation unit 160 generates and discharges ions into the airinside the room. The ion generation unit 160 is detachable from a mainbody of the air purifier 100.

The operation unit 170 is, for example, a touch panel. The operationunit 170 displays an image. Specifically, the operation unit 170displays various information such as an operating state of the airpurifier 100. Further, the operation unit 170 receives an operation fromthe user. The operation unit 170 can be switched on and off.

The fan 180 takes the air that exists in the room in which the airpurifier 100 is installed into the air purifier 100, and passes the airthrough the filter 190. As a result, the filter 190 collects dustpresent in the air. The filter 190 is, for example, a high efficiencyparticulate air (HEPA) filter. An airflow of the fan 180 is controlledby the control unit 110.

The server 200 includes a control unit 210, a storage unit 220, and acommunication unit 230.

The control unit 210 is a hardware circuit including a processor such asa CPU, an ASIC, and the like. The control unit 210 controls theoperation of each unit of the server 200 by the processor reading andexecuting a control program stored in the storage unit 220.

The storage unit 220 includes a RAM and a ROM. The storage unit 220stores various data and a control program for controlling the operationof each unit of the server 200. The control program is executed by thecontrol unit 210.

The communication unit 230 is capable of communicating with anelectronic device equipped with a communicator that utilizes the samecommunication system (protocol). In this embodiment, the communicationunit 230 communicates with the air purifier 100 via a network such as aLAN. The communication unit 230 is a communication module (communicationdevice) such as a LAN board, for example.

The mobile terminal 300 includes a control unit 310, a storage unit 320,and a communication unit 330. The mobile terminal 300 is, for example, asmartphone. The mobile terminal 300 has a GPS function.

The control unit 310 is a hardware circuit including a processor such asa CPU, an ASIC, and the like. The control unit 310 controls theoperation of each unit of the mobile terminal 300 by the processorreading and executing a control program stored in the storage unit 320.

The storage unit 320 includes a RAM and a ROM. The storage unit 320stores various data and a control program for controlling the operationof each unit of the mobile terminal 300. The control program is executedby the control unit 310.

The communication unit 330 is capable of communicating with anelectronic device equipped with a communicator that utilizes the samecommunication system (protocol). In this embodiment, the communicationunit 330 communicates with the air purifier 100 via a network such as aLAN.

The air purifier 100 has four operation modes. Specifically, the airpurifier 100 switches operational control based on a type of pet and theoccupancy information. The type of pet is specified by the user. Forexample, the type of pet is specified by the user operating theoperation unit 170 or the mobile terminal 300.

A method of controlling the air purifier 100 according to the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 2is a flowchart illustrating the method of controlling the air purifier100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Theoperation mode is switched by execution of the processing of step S102to step S116 illustrated in FIG. 2.

Step S102: The control unit 11 determines whether or not the mode is apet operation mode. When the control unit 110 determines that the modeis not the pet operation mode (step S102: No), the processing returns tostep S102. When the control unit 110 determines that the mode is the petoperation mode (step S102: Yes), the processing proceeds to step S104.

Step S104: The control unit 110 determines the type of pet. When thecontrol unit 110 determines that the type of pet is cat (step S104:Cat), the processing proceeds to step S112. When the control unit 110determines that the type of pet is dog (step S104: Dog), the processingproceeds to step S106.

Step S106: The control unit 10 determines whether a person is in theroom. the control unit 110 determines that a person is not in the room(step S106: No), the processing proceeds to step S110. When the controlunit 110 determines that a person is in the room (step S106: Yes), theprocessing proceeds to step S108.

Step S108: The control unit 110 switches the operation mode to a firstoperation mode. The first operation mode is an operation mode suitablewhen a person is in the room and the type of pet is dog. The processingends.

Step S110: The control unit 110 switches the operation mode to a secondoperation mode, The second operation mode is an operation mode suitablewhen a person is not present and the type of pet is dog. The processingends.

Step S112: The control unit 110 determines whether a person is in theroom. If the control unit 110 determines that a person is not in theroom (step S112: No), the processing proceeds to step S116. When thecontrol unit 110 determines that a person is in the room (step S112:Yes), the processing proceeds to step S114.

Step S114: The control unit switches the operation mode to a thirdoperation mode. The third operation mode is an operation mode suitablewhen a person is in the room and the type of pet is cat. The processingends.

Step S116: The control unit 110 switches the operation mode to a fourthoperation mode. The fourth operation mode is an operation mode suitablewhen a person is not present and the type of pet is cat. The processingends.

The operation modes will be further described with reference to FIG. 3.FIG. 3 is a table illustrating the operational control of the controlunit 110 in the first operation mode, the second operation mode, thethird operation mode, and the fourth operation mode.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit 110 changes the operationalcontrol and thus the humidity in accordance with the type of pet. Inthis embodiment, in the case of the first operation mode and the secondoperation mode, the control unit 110 controls the humidification unit150 such that the humidity is from 40% to 60%. That is, when the type ofpet is dog, the control unit 110 controls the humidification unit 150such that the humidity is from 40% to 60%. On the other hand, in thecase of the third operation mode and the fourth operation mode, thecontrol unit 110 controls the humidification unit 150 such that thehumidity is from 50% to 60%. That is, when the type of pet is cat, thecontrol unit 110 controls the humidification unit 150 such that thehumidity is from 50% to 60%. In this way, compared to when the type ofpet is dog, the control unit 110 controls the humidification unit 150and thus increases the humidity compared to that when the type of pet iscat. This is because the optimal humidity zone differs for dogs andcats.

Further, in the first operation mode, the control unit 110 controls thefan 180 such that the airflow is “high”. In the second operation mode,the control unit 110 controls the fan 180 such that the airflow is “veryhigh”. That is, when a person is not in the room, the control unit 110performs operational control such that the airflow is increased comparedto that when a person is in the room.

In the third operation mode, the control unit 110 controls the fan 180such that the airflow is “normal”. In the fourth operation mode, thecontrol unit 110 controls the fan 180 such that the airflow is “slightlyhigh”. That is, when a person is not in the room, the control unit 110performs operational control such that the airflow is increased comparedto that when a person is in the room.

In this way, when a person is not in the room, the control unit 110performs operational control and thus the airflow is increased comparedto that when a person is in the room. Accordingly, by controlling airpurification at a higher level of operation while a person is notpresent, it is possible to ensure that the air is in a clean state whena person returns to the room. Further, by setting air purification to alower level of operation while a person is at home, it is possible tosuppress an operation sound.

Further, in the first operation mode, the control unit 110 controls thefan 180 such that the airflow is higher than that in the third operationmode. Further, in the second operation mode, the control unit 110controls the fan 180 such that the airflow is higher than that in thefourth operation mode. That is, when the type of pet is dog, the controlunit 110 controls the fan 180 such that the airflow is higher comparedto that when the type of pet is cat. This is because cats are morevulnerable to airflow than dogs.

Further, in the first operation mode and the third operation mode, thecontrol unit 110 performs control such that an airflow direction is in anormal position. In the second operation mode and the fourth operationmode, the control unit 110 performs control such that the airflowdirection is at a lowest position. In this way, when a person is not inthe room, the control unit 110 performs operational control such thatthe airflow direction is lower than that when a person is in the room.

Further, in the first operation mode and the third operation mode, thecontrol unit 110 controls the operation unit 170 and thus turns on theoperation unit 170. That is, when a person is in the room, the controlunit 110 controls the operation unit 170 and thus turns on the operationunit 170. On the other hand, in the second operation mode and the fourthoperation mode, the control unit 110 controls the operation unit 170 andthus turns off the operation unit 170. That is, when a person is not inthe room, the control unit 110 controls the operation unit 170 and thusturns off the operation unit 170. In this way, when a person is not inthe room, the control unit 110 performs control and thus turns off theoperation unit 170. Accordingly, power consumption can be suppressed.

A method of setting the pet operation mode will be described withreference to FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b). FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b) arediagrams illustrating the mobile terminal 300.

As illustrated in FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b), the mobile terminal 300further includes a display unit 340. A normal mode selection button 342,a pet mode selection button 344, and an enter button 346 are displayedon the display unit 340. A pet mode corresponding to the type of petspecified by the user is displayed on the pet mode selection button 344.In FIG. 4(a), because dog is specified as the type of pet by the user,“Dog mode” is displayed on the pet mode selection button 344. In FIG.4(b), because cat is specified as the type of pet by the user, “Catmode” is displayed on the pet mode selection button 344. After selectionof the pet mode selection button 344, the enter button 346 is selected,setting the pet operation mode.

As described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the control unit 110 isconfigured to switch operational control based on the type of petspecified by the user and the occupancy information. Accordingly, it ispossible to perform operational control in accordance with the type ofpet and the person-in-room information.

Further, when a person is not in the room, the control unit 110 isconfigured to perform operational control and thus increase the airflowcompared to that when a person is in the room. Accordingly, bycontrolling air purification at a higher level of operation while aperson is not present, it is possible to ensure that the air is in aclean state when a person returns to the room. Further, by setting airpurification to a lower level of operation while a person is at home, itis possible to suppress an operation sound.

Furthermore, the control unit 110 is configured to change operationalcontrol and thus change the airflow in accordance with the type of pet.Accordingly, it is possible to perform operational control at an airflowin accordance with the type of pet.

Further, the control unit 110 is configured to change operationalcontrol and thus change the humidity in accordance with the type of pet.Accordingly, it is possible to perform operational control at a humidityin accordance with the type of pet.

Further, when a person is not in the room, the control unit 110 isconfigured to perform control and thus turn off the operation unit 170.Accordingly, power consumption can be suppressed.

Second Embodiment

The air purifier 100 according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a blockdiagram of the air purification system 400 including the air purifier100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The airpurification system 400 according to the second embodiment has the sameconfiguration as that of the air purification system 400 according tothe first embodiment, except that the air purification system 400according to the second embodiment does not include the server 200, andthus duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the air purification system 400 includes theair purifier 100 and the mobile terminal 300.

In this embodiment, the server 200 is not provided. The history of theenvironment information is stored in the storage unit 120 of the airpurifier 100. In this embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment,operational control can be performed in accordance with the type of petand the person-in-room information.

Third Embodiment

The air purifier 100 according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a blockdiagram of the air purification system 400 including the air purifier100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The airpurifier 100 according to the third embodiment has the sameconfiguration as that of the air purifier 100 according to the firstembodiment, except that the air purifier 100 according to the thirdembodiment does not include the motion sensor 138, and thus duplicatedescriptions will be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the air purification system 400 includes theair purifier 100, the server 200, and the mobile terminal 300.

In this embodiment, the air purifier 100 does not include the motionsensor 138. In this embodiment, the control unit 110 determines whetheror not the user is in the room in which the air purifier 100 isinstalled by the GPS function of the mobile terminal 300. Specifically,based on the position information of the mobile terminal 300 indicatedby the GPS function of the mobile terminal 300, the control unit 110determines whether or not a distance between the air purifier 100 andthe mobile terminal 300 is within a predetermined range, and determineswhether or not the user is in the room in which the air purifier 100 isinstalled. In this embodiment as well, similar to the first embodimentand the second embodiment, operational control can be performed inaccordance with the type of pet and the person-in-room information.

In the description above, embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed with reference to the drawings (FIG. 1 to FIG. 6). Note thatthe present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above,and can be carried out in the form of various aspects within the scopenot departing from the gist of the present invention (for example, (1)to (2) described below). The drawings primarily schematically illustrateeach of the constituent elements for the sake of easier understanding,and the thickness, length, number, and the like of each of theillustrated constituent elements are different from the actualthickness, length, number, and the like by reason of making of thedrawings. Further, the material, shape, dimensions, and the like of eachof the constituent elements illustrated in the embodiments describedabove are merely exemplary and are not particularly limiting, andvarious modifications can be made within the scope not departing fromthe effects of the present invention in essence.

(1) While there are two types of pets, namely, a dog and a cat describedwith reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, the present invention is not limitedthereto. For example, there may be three or more types of pets.

(2) While the control unit 110 switches operational control based onwhether the pet is a dog or a cat as described with reference to FIG. 1to FIG. 6, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example,the control unit 110 may switch operational control depending on thetype of dog.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   100 Air purifier-   110 Control unit-   170 Operation unit

1. An air purifier comprising: a control unit configured to acquireoccupancy information indicating whether or not a person is in a room,wherein the control unit is configured to switch operational controlbased on a type of pet specified by a user and the occupancyinformation.
 2. The air purifier according to claim 1, wherein, when aperson is not in the room, the control unit is configured to performoperational control and thus increase an airflow compared to that when aperson is in the room.
 3. The air purifier according to claim 1, whereinthe control unit is configured to change operational control and thuschange the airflow in accordance with the type of pet.
 4. The airpurifier according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured tochange operational control and thus change a humidity in accordance withthe type of pet.
 5. The air purifier according to claim 1, wherein, whena person is not in the room, the control unit is configured to performoperational control and thus lower an airflow direction compared to thatwhen a person is in the room.
 6. The air purifier according to claim 1,further comprising: an operation unit configured to display an image,wherein, when a person is not in the room, the control unit isconfigured to perform control and thus turn off the operation unit.